penurious

What does “penurious” mean?

adjective.extremely poor; poverty-stricken.

SAT Usage

this term is often found in passages discussing socioeconomic issues, historical contexts, or character studies, emphasizing the severity of financial hardship and its impact on individuals or communities. It conveys a sense of desperation and deprivation, distinguishing itself from similar words like "impoverished," which may imply a lack of resources but does not necessarily capture the same intensity of suffering.

Common Confusions

Penurious implies extreme poverty and desperation, while impoverished usually suggests a lack of resources without necessarily conveying the same intensity of suffering.

Example Sentences

• The penurious poet lived on almost nothing to fund his art.

• The penurious stew would have been more accurately labelled broth.